Final Round in Favorite Comic book Tourney now underway

Here we go with the final round..what's at stake..if The Dark Knight wins this round it wins the tourney. If it loses and The Avengers win then its a tie. 

Round 9 in Favorite Comic Book Movie Tourney now underway

Here we go with the penultimate round in the Favorite Comic Book Movie Tourney. Polls close on Sunday at 4pm.

Round 8 in Favorite Comic Book Movie Tourney now underway

Here we go with round 8. Polls close on Thursday morning at 830 am

Round 7 in Favorite Comic Book Movie Tourney now underway

Here we go with round 7:

Round 6 in Favorite Comic Book Movie Tourney now underway

Here we go with round 6..polls will close on Friday afternoon at 530pm.

Round 5 in the Favorite Comic Book Movie Tourney now underway

Here we go with round 5 and the headline match is between the last two undefeated films, The Avengers and The Dark Knight. It's like the Super Bowl except it's taking place in the regular season. Polls close at 3pm Tuesday afternoon.

Rd 4 in Favorite Comic Book Movie Tourney now underway

Away we go with round 4...polls close on Sunday at 530pm

Rd 3 in Favorite Comic Book Movie Tourney now underway

Here we go with round 3. Polls close on Wednesday evening at 6pm

Rd 2 in Favorite Comic Book Tourney now underway

Here we go with round 2.  Polls close at noon on Monday.

Favorite Comic Book Movie Tourney now underway..

First round action is a go...

Favorite Comic Book Movie Tournament begins later on this evening..

12 players. 12 awesome comic book movies. One champion. Winner takes all. 

Finally..my review of Wonder Woman

Sorry for the delay in not getting my review of Wonder Woman out sooner. But upon seeing it for the third time last week, I can honestly now say it is my favorite film of the year so far, edging out Logan and Guardians of the Galaxy 2, which I both love. We got introduced to Wonder Woman, as played by Gal Gadot, last year in the abysmal Batma v Superman, in which she was the only good thing going for that movie. Gadot brought some much needed relief from the doom and gloom with her frank honesty, no fear and taking charge. Those characteristics and more are on display in her solo movie. Expertly directed by Patty Jenkins, who guided Charlize Theron to a Best Actress Oscar for Monster many years ago.

Wonder Woman traces her origin from the very beginning as she was told by her mother Hippolyta (as played by Connie Nielsen) that she was sculpted from clay and given life to by Zeus. As a little girl Diana wants to be an Amazon so badly that she defies her mother and asks her aunt Antiope (a bad ass Robin Wright) for training. All this takes place on the beautiful island Themiscyra, which is hidden from the eyes of the world. Things are peaceful until Steve Trevor (a terrific Chris Pine) crash lands his plane into the water, in which Diana pulls him to safety. He was been chased by Germans who also crash the party which leads to an awesome battle between Amazons and Germans. This is where Antiope takes charge and shows why she is the Amazon's best warrior up to that point.

Things turn deadly and Diana leaves with Steve to head back to London to stop World War One, which Diana believes is being influenced by Ares, the God of War. Before the brutalities of war begins, there is ample humor as Diana is literally a fish out of water, trying to adapt to the customs of this new world. She also gets to tell sexist men of the time how it is and doesn't hold back. I was like..you tell them Diana. 

Once Diana and Steve and a few others reach the front lines Wonder Woman becomes the hero we all know she can be. Taking on German soldiers with an impressive display of fighting skills that are unmatched. But her ultimate test will come when she faces Ares during the finale, in which the gloves are off. Diana unleashed and not only is she amazing but makes you think damn Diana..you're just wrecking things all over the place. Her rage fuels her strength to Superman levels and takes it all to Ares in a show stopping climax.

When the dust settles, the war is over and while Diana is weary she is also a hero now. I love this movie, which is evident since I have seen it three times. As a comic book fan, I think it's one of the best one ever made. In fact I think it's one of the best films period.
My rating: A

My Top 5 Reasons Why Wonder Woman will be a massive hit!

Ok there have been some ramblings about the opening weekend prospects for Wonder Woman, the latest film in the DC Cinematic Universe. Some have pegged it's opening at $65 million which is way too low and others have placed it in the $80-85 million range. And topping out at just over $200 million domestic. I think it's gonna do way more than that.  And here are my top 5 reasons why:

1). RECOGNITION - Even if you have never read a Wonder Woman comic book, chances are you know Wonder Woman. You don't be around for over 70 plus years and not be a recognizable icon. Also thanks to the much loved 70's tv series with Lynda Carter, the character of Wonder Woman does not need an introduction. Everyone knows her, simple as that.

2.) GOODWILL- When she appeared in the maligned Batman V Superman last spring, she was the best thing about that movie. I mean that movie had lots of problems but Wonder Woman wasn't one of them. When she appeared with her gung ho and take charge attitude with her boss theme blaring in the background, you was like awwww yeah!

3).  TAKING CHARGE - Finally get to see a female super-hero take charge and have her own movie. No offense Helen Slater to your 1984 Supergirl, but Wonder Woman is about to take things to a new level. Not too mention that this is very female eccentric film which I think is beyond awesome.

4).  BOX-OFFICE POTENTIAL - If lesser known characters like Ant-Man and Doctor Strange can do solid box-office, then Wonder Woman should do bang up business. Doctor Strange opened to $85 million last fall and I guarantee his recognition is no where near the level of Wonder Woman. I predict WW can open to around $100 million easy, if not more.

5.) PURE COMIC BOOK BLISS - Judging by the trailers, we can forget the doom and gloom of Batman V Superman and rejoice in the lightness and fun that Wonder Woman looks to bring. And Gal Gadot looks great and every bit the Amazon Princess.

So my final predictions are:
opening weekend: $100 million
Domestic final gross: $300-$330 million
Worldwide final gross: $700 million

DEADPOOL is just too awesome!

Thumbs up DP!

Well with much anticipation Deadpool finally arrived in theaters last week and I saw it opening day and was completely blown away. Ryan Reynolds is perfectly cast as ex-Special Forces operative Wade Wilson who now takes assignments helping the little people such as cases of stalkers and general bad guy stuff. Everything is going ok and gets even better when he meets the lovely Vanessa (played by Morena Baccarin) as their humor and craziness match each other to a tee. Things are bliss for awhile showing the couple through-out the year with a sexy montage of sex scenes on holidays thru the year. But when Wade is diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer it all turns bleak. He makes it a point to spare Vanessa the sight of him slowly dying in front of her and takes a chance on this mysterious organization that says it can not only cure him but also give him super powers. With nothing to lose, Wade signs up and promptly meets Ajax (played by Ed Skrein) and his right hand henchwoman Angel Dust (played by Gina Carano) who subject Wade to massive amounts of torture to trigger his dormant X gene to release his mutant power. Which is an accelerated healing factor that it is even better than Wolverine's.

Ryan Reynolds as Wade and Morena Baccarin as Vanessa

But the truth is Wade is being made to be a slave to be sold to the highest bidder to become their weapon of destruction. Wade finally gains his powers but at a cost as he is completely disfigured. After the building he is at blows up and they think he is dead, Wade assumes the identity of Deadpool and wages war on Ajax and his cronies for some major payback.

The opening 20 minute sequence showcases Deadpool unleashed as he takes down Ajax's motorcade on a busy freeway with some cool slo-mo action scenes and hilarious humor. The film then smartly flashbacks to how Wade became Deadpool and such and is in perfect sync with the flow of the movie. DP has to deal with two X-Men, Colossus and  Negasonic Teenage Warhead (brilliantly played by newcomer Brianna Hildebrand) who seek to stop his bloody carnage through-out the city.

DP lays out the plan to Negasonic and Colossus

Eventually the trio will pair up once Ajax kidnaps DP's girl Vanessa and have a huge showdown in a ship yard with DMX's X Gonna Give It To You blaring in the background. Deadpool is a winner from the opening and creative title credits and never takes a false step. Ryan Reynolds is perfect in what is sure to become his signature role and gets great back-up in the form of Baccarin, Skrein, Hildebrand and the wise-cracking TJ Miller as Weasel (Wade's best friend).

Brianna Hildebrand as the cool Negasonic Teenage Warhead

I'm so glad this movie came out as most comic book movies were getting so dark and emotionless, specifically DC films, that Deadpool reinvents the genre before it starts to get stale. It is definitely a game changer and I for one, can't wait to see it again. It's already in my top 3 favorite comic book movies ever! May become #1 after a second showing...

Deadpool has reserved seats for you to see his awesome movie!

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN is a fun summer movie!

I know there were a lot of naysayers out there saying it was too soon for a reboot after Sam Raimi had just delivered the divisive Spider-Man 3 five years ago. But I for one was thinking bring it on. A new director in Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer), a new Peter Parker/Spider-Man in Andrew Garfield and a slight spin on the origin story of our web slinging hero. Add all that up and you have one hell of a movie.

Peter just hanging out on his roof

The movie opens up with a young Peter being whisked away by his parents in the middle of the night and being left with Aunt May (Sally Field) and Uncle Ben (a really good performance by Martin Sheen). Peter's parents are then killed under mysterious circumstances and he grows up in the care of May and Ben. Flash forward a few year years and Peter is in high school dealing with bullying jocks, namely Flash Thompson. While at home he stumbles across some of his dad's old papers which lead him to Dr. Curt Connors (a surprisingly engaging Rhys Ifans) who worked with Peter's dad on some very hush hush secret experiments. One like cross-breeding animals genetic codes to other animals. Connors work at Oscorp, which will be familiar to all Spider-man fans and will have a teaser at the final credits. 

Peter suited up

It is here where Peter gets bitten by a radioactive spider and soon gains some really cool powers. But as the adage goes, with great power comes great responsibility which is a hard lesson Peter must soon learn. After a tragedy strikes his family, Peter makes himself a costume with some really cool web shooters and starts doing heroic deeds all over New York City. Meanwhile Dr. Connors is fired for not coming up with the formula that could help the company and he ends up using the highly dangerous formula on himself and turns into a raging reptilian creature called The Lizard. 

Doc Connors about to go through a serious change

Spider-Man and The Lizard have some particularly awesome fight scenes which has our hero constantly wise-cracking even though he takes quite the beating. Also going on is a potential love interest in Gwen Stacy (a winning performance by Emma Stone) that showcases some really good quiet moments between her and Peter.

A quiet moment between Gwen and Peter

Things collide with one hell of a smack down at Oscorp Tower between Spidey and The Lizard that will have you cheering by the time the credits roll. Like I said this is one great fun filled summer movie. Maybe not as good as The Avengers, but it is by far the best Spider-Man movie yet. Top notch performances by the entire cast, especially Garfield. He slides into the role of Peter Parker as if he was born to play him. No slight to Tobey Maguire but Garfield owns it. The visual effects are quite amazing too. If you see this film, see it in 3D. It pays off when Spider-Man starts swinging all over the city and you feel like you are swinging with him. A thrilling music score adds to the greatness of this film. I can't wait to see it again.
B+ 

The Lizard playing a little game of hide and seek

Garfield has got the moves and some game as Spidey

THE AVENGERS assemble for one terrific movie!

 Oh they are about to mess some shit up..believe that!

Just saw The Avengers for the second time in three days and all I can say is wow! As a diehard comic book fan for over 25 years, this is a moment in time I will always treasure. Seeing some of Earth's mightiest heroes team up in the same movie and do their thing. This is how you make an awesome movie! The midnight crowd was in a frenzy from the time the lights went dark and for the next 2 and a half hours, I was in sheer bliss. 

Captain America

Picking up from the endings of last year's two films Captain America and Thor, The Avengers begin with Thor's mad brother Loki (once again played by Tom Hiddleston and even better this time around) arriving on Earth at SHIELD's facility, and wreaking havoc. Shield director Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson in a much more substantial role this time) is in possession of a cube of unimaginable power called the Tesseract. Loki wants it as he plans to use it to open a portal for his allies, an alien race called the Chitarui, to cross over and invade Earth. 

Iron Man

Fury quickly assembles a team to take on this threat. He recruits Captain America (played once again by Chris Evans, solidly might I add), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr..never better) and Bruce Banner aka The Hulk (this time played by Mark Ruffalo...who gives the best impression of Banner/Hulk by far). Also already in place is Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and ace archer Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner). Thor (Chris Hemsworth) will join the party a few scenes later. 

Thor

After a quick skirmish that has Loki captured by Cap and Iron Man, Thor arrives to personally settle things between him and his brother. Of course Iron Man takes offense and we have one hell of a fight that Cap has to break up. That's the thing about this film as there are so many cool fights between different characters. Thor and Hulk mix it up for another great fight. Hulk has a little beaut with Loki. Black Widow and Hawkeye go at it with lethal intensity as he is under the control of Loki. Just so many terrific matches that make a fan scream "Hell yeah! That's what I'm talking about!"

Hulk

But amid all the action and spectacle there is the wonderful dialogue and direction by Joss Whedon, who has crafted some of the best series on TV ever in Buffy, Angel and Firefly. He guides this film with a deft hand and his imprint of engaging and witty cantor is on full display. Downey gets to rip off countless one liners as he butt heads repeatedly with Cap, Thor, Fury..hell everyone in the movie. Ruffalo gets to shine as we finally get the perfect guy to bring the perfect Hulk to the screen as he gets to have some fun in his role and the Hulk gets to let loose and smash. Johansson also gets a more fully developed role as Black Widow, a much improved character from Iron Man 2. In fact she has one of the better scenes in the film as she gets to have a little chat with Loki that gets very deep and personal.

Black Widow

The film is well paced as the beginning takes time to get going but once the ball gets rolling...oh boy, look out. The final 30 minutes as the team fights Loki and the alien race in downtown New York is one breathless, rollercoaster ride. So much action going on, it's just cool as hell to sit back and watch. When Banner finally gets to 'Hulk' out and smashes a giant alien in the face, the whole crowd just erupted. In fact the Hulk gets most of the best scenes as he gets two really funny scenes involving him and Thor, then him and Loki. Funny as can be. I also liked Renner as Hawkeye the archer. He was slinging arrows all over the place, from the side, from behind, no look, etc. Really wicked! And nice seeing Clark Gregg back as Agent Coulson. Gwyneth Paltrow pops up in a cameo as Pepper Potts, trying to carry on her romance with Tony Stark. And newcomer to the series, Agent Maria Hill (played by Cobie Smulders). Terrific cast!

Hawkeye

Man, this movie is awesome. Been waiting my whole life for this to happen and it finally has. I can't wait to see it a third time, which will be sometime this week. The Avengers is the best comic book movie I have ever seen. Better than my beloved X2. I'm still seriously stoked for Spider-Man and Batman later on this summer, but for me, The Avengers is it. Avengers Assemble!
A

 Nick Fury

Loki

 Agent Maria Hill

Hill and Agent Coulson

Seminal moments in comic book movies: Iron Man flexes his muscles

2008 brought the crowd cheering funtastic comic movie Iron Man to the big screen and audiences ate it up. Robert Downey, Jr. was perfectly cast as the titular character Iron Man and his alter ego, the brash inventor and savvy businessman Tony Stark. Loaded with cool special effects, lots of humor and RDJ's best role in years, Iron Man was awesome. In this clip, he arrives in a small town that is being overrun by militia who are using his company's weapons. He has had enough and decides to intervene.

Seminal Moments in comic book movies: Hit Girl goes ballistic in KICK-ASS

 Say what again! I dare ya!

OK, while this very cool comic book movie is all about a high school student named Dave Lizewski who becomes a super hero called Kick-Ass, the real star of the movie is the lethal and young Hit Girl (played by Chloe Grace Moretz). Trained by her dad, Big Daddy (the always weird but fun Nicolas Cage), she dispenses brutal justice on all bad guys with gut wrenching efficiency. This girl is no joke. She is like a mini Punisher! Check out this scene where she takes on the bad guys on their own turf, rocking to the tune of Joan Jett's Bad Reputation!

http://youtu.be/vsBKyduk3RE

Seminal moments in comic book movies: Batman drops his name on a bad guy

It took over 20 years to bring a proper Dark Knight to the big screen to erase memories of the campy 60's TV series. While the series was fun and had it moments, we wanted a more serious take on Batman. And director Tim Burton delivered the goods. Now when he cast Michael "Mr. Mom" Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman, everyone was like..huh? But guess what Keaton did a pretty good job. Batman was a huge blockbuster hit during the summer of 1989 and while there are plenty of moments to choose from as the one to be called pivotal: the intro of Jack Nicholson as the disfigured Joker; Batman rolling down the streets of Gotham in the batmobile and others. But I will go with the very opening scene where two low life criminals are divvying up their recent score on a rooftop building when Batman makes his very cool appearance and then name checks himself.
I'M BATMAN! The bad guy had to have an accident in his pants right then and there.

Seminal moments in comic book movies: Peter Parker tests out his new spider powers

Spider-Man is my favorite super-hero so I was ecstatic when they finally announced he was getting the big screen treatment ala Superman and Batman. One of the best moments is after getting by that radioactive spider, Peter Parker starts exhibiting some strange new powers. The first time he learns he can climb a wall is just awesome. And then he starts running all over the city. And of course he has to try his amazing web-line. Love this scene. Expect plenty more pivotal moments from this terrific series.